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The Rock
When you saw the title of this message, perhaps your first thought was Dwayne Johnson, the professional wrestler turned actor, known as “The Rock.” No, he is not the subject of this message. Instead, it is a reflection on a trip I took to Haiti in 2010.
What would it be like? Would I see the immense devastation, pain, hurt, brokenness and chaos that I saw in January of that year following the horrific earthquake? What about the hurricane? Would I be caught in the aftermath of flooding and mudslides? What about cholera? How prevalent was it really and would I be exposed? What would I see? What would I do?
Those were the questions that stirred my soul as I drove to Dallas in preparation to travel back to Haiti on a brisk Saturday morning. I joined nine doctors and nurses, and our team of ten arrived in Haiti early Saturday afternoon. It didn’t take long for me to realize that some things were still chaotic, particularly in regard to customs in the airport. After several hours of waiting for our luggage and supplies to be cleared, only our personal items were approved. None of the medical supplies we had brought were released.
During the “waiting game,” I was able to watch the life going on around me. There were vendors on the road across from the airport selling cold drinks and single cigarettes. Then there the two men sitting at a makeshift table playing a game of cards, and a baggage handler wearing a red Texas Rangers baseball cap. Children were begging for whatever they could get; they just wanted something to hold onto. But what really brought me back to the reality of the moment was the Scripture reference (Psalm 94:17) I saw on the side of one of the tap-taps (equivalent to our taxis—called tap-taps because when you want them to stop you just tap-tap on the side).
Psalm 94:17 says: “Unless the Lord had given me help, I would soon have dwelt in the silence of death.”
That put it into perspective for me; in the midst of piles of rocks, there was still a longing and need for The Rock. Then it dawned on me, right there in the blowing dust and echoing of car horns that we are not much different. We may have CLEAN running water; we may be able to decide when and if we want to sleep in a tent; but, when it comes to what is below the surface, we are not much different. Unless the Lord had given us help, we too soon would have dwelt in the silence of death.
You see, within each of us, regardless of our nationality, there resides a soul — a soul that longs for rest, security, hope, help, stability and life. And He alone is the One who can give us that!
“God gave us the gift of life; it is up to us to give ourselves the gift of living well” (Voltaire).
I hope to see you on Sunday, whether in the Gymnasium or Founders’ Chapel, where together we will gather to worship and celebrate The Rock of our salvation.
Peace,
Trey
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READY Construction Worship Venue Change
Each Sunday through December 1, our worship locations will change due to the temporary construction. Exciting updates will be underway in our Sanctuary and Narthex (Sanctuary Lobby) and new Welcome Center that will READY us to be a welcoming place, a relevant space, and to extend Grace! We invite those of you who typically worship in the 11:15 a.m. Traditional service, to consider joining us in worship at 9 a.m., so that we may more evenly distribute attendance in the Chapel services.
9 a.m. Contemporary Worship in the Gym
9 a.m. Traditional Worship in The Founders’ Chapel
11:15 a.m. Traditional Worship in The Founders’ Chapel
11:15 a.m. Grace en Español Worship in the Gym
Thank you so very much for your continued patience as we near the final few months of construction!
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Serve on the READY Construction Hospitality Team
We have a wonderful opportunity for you to serve the Grace family and our guests on Sunday! You are invited to help smooth the worshippers’ path on Sunday mornings by volunteering for the READY Construction Hospitality team. Find more information by clicking HERE.
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Save These Dates!
ONE Worship Service Sundays
- December 8, Grace at 50!
- December 15, GKM & Christmas for the City
- December 29, Jazz Sunday
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Grace at 50
Sunday, December 8
Mark your calendars! Join us as we celebrate the 50th anniversary of this amazing Grace campus and God’s impact through Grace on the west side of Houston… from Downtown to the Beltway and Beyond. You’ll want to be here for this one-service Sunday and lunch!
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Grace Worship Nights: Advent Longing
Sunday, December 1, 5:30 p.m.
Founders' Chapel
Please join us for Grace Worship Nights: Advent Longing at 5:30 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 1 in the Founders' Chapel as we dive into the themes of Advent — Waiting, Lament and Hope — through scripture, prayer, and song. Childcare is available; please email Debbie Kay (dkay@gpch.org) by Nov. 25 with your child's name and age to reserve a place.
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Out Of Town This Sunday? Watch Us On Facebook Live Each Week!
We love gathering together each Sunday as a Grace family! But, if you are unable to join us for worship, there are two ways to join us online: on our homepage or live on our Facebook page.
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Grace at 50: Fun Fact
Over the next couple of months as we look toward our Grace at 50 celebration on Sunday, December 8, we are going to share some “fun facts” from the past 50 years at Grace. Look for these fun trivia facts about Grace in Grace Weekly, the worship bulletins, and social media!
This Week’s Fun Fact:
In 1969, the president of the Women of the Church, Camille Jackson, recruited women to make home visits each morning to potential new members. The church provided a light lunch and childcare until 4-5 p.m. so the women could enjoy fellowship and visit throughout the community. It was out of this effort, that a few years later the Grace Mother’s Day Out program came into existence.
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Rec Sports
Register Now for Basketball
Rec sports is a ministry of Grace Presbyterian Church and open to all children Kindergarten through 5th grade as part of the West Houston Christian Sports Association. Every year we offer boys and girls soccer, basketball and softball/baseball. Basketball online registration is open now. For more information, contact Grace Recreational Sports Coordinator Wendy Wray (wwray@gpch.org; 713-248-2670). Click HERE to register.
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Crowded House: Food.Faith.Friends.
Sundays 6 p.m.
All high school and middle school students and their friends are invited to join a small group for dinner and Bible study. This is a wonderful opportunity for students to grow in their faith and build meaningful friendships with other students in their grade. Locations vary by grade and can be found online HERE.
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Farm to Table: A New Sunday School Class
Sundays 10:15 a.m.
Massey-Tucker Hall, Room C
Everyone is welcome to join a new eight-week Sunday school class, “Farm to Table,” led by Jenny Gottschalk and Doug Gleditsch. The class utilizes the PONDER Bible study format and each lesson will be “stand alone” so it’s a great opportunity to try this wonderful way to look deeply into God’s word.
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Horizons Class
Advent Study
Sundays through December 1
10:15-11 a.m.
Molly Ann Smith Building
The Horizons class will do an Advent study to prepare for the celebration of the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ, using the book "While We Wait," written by Mary Lou Redding. We will focus on questions asked by those in both the Old and the New testament: Tamar, Zechariah, Ruth, Elizabeth, Mary and the Magi. Everyone is invited to join us for this study.
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“Get in the Game!"
Men’s Night
with Jonathan Evans
Wednesday, November 13
6:30-8:30 p.m.
Massey-Tucker Hall
Treebeard's Dinner $15
Join us as former NFL fullback, author, chaplain and dynamic speaker Jonathan Evans seeks to impact today’s athletes and men with sports analogies and spiritual truths aimed at strengthening men of all ages with the skills they need for living victoriously. Jonathan is a dynamic speaker with a “game day, every day” attitude you will not want to miss. Register HERE.
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Here's What We're Learning in The Backyard
November 10
Bible Story: You've Got a Friend (David and Jonathan)
• 1 Samuel 18-20
Bottom Line: Honor others by putting them first.
Memory Verse: Love one another deeply. Honor others more than yourselves.
• Romans 12:10 (NlrV)
Life App: Honor—Letting someone know you see how valuable they really are.
Basic Truth: I should treat others the way I want to be treated.
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Here's What We're Learning in TreeHouse
November 10
Bible Story Focus: I can thank God for my friends. (David and Jonathan)
• 1 Samuel 18:1-4
Memory Verse: I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart.
• Psalm 111:1, ESV
Key Question: Who can you thank for everything?
Bottom Line: I can thank God for everything.
Basic Truth: God made me.
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High School
Sunday Mornings
10:15-11 a.m.
Massey-Tucker Hall, Room 207
All high school students and their friends are invited to join us for food, a fun game, and a devotion every Sunday morning.
11/10 - Bubble Soccer -- complete the online waiver
11/17 - Romans & Christians
11/24 - Kids' Meals Mission Project in Rm. 207
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Middle School
Sunday Mornings
10:15-11 a.m.
Massey-Tucker Hall, Room 201
All middle school students and their friends are invited to join us for food, a fun game, and a devotion every Sunday morning.
11/10 - Bubble Soccer -- complete the online waiver
11/17 - Romans & Christians
11/24 - Kids' Meals Mission Project in Rm. 201
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Help Feed
Our Student Ministry
on Sundays
Everyone knows that students love to eat, so can you help feed them to make their Sunday mornings extra sweet? Please click on this Sign Up Genius to contribute. Thank you in advance for your help and for your support in making Sunday mornings an awesome time for our students!
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Manna From Grace
Saturday, November 9
9 a.m. - noon
at the home of Judy Sims
(713-783-7008)
Twice a month folks gather to have fun and fellowship while they prepare food for those in the family of Grace who are going through a time of illness or trial. While some of the meals are delivered, many are put in the church freezer. These are for anyone to take when they know someone who could be blessed by one of these meals. If you would like to know about Manna from Grace – volunteering or receiving meals – please contact Becky Morris (bmorris@gpch.org; 713-267-5091).
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Christian-Based
Counseling Available
at Grace
Thursdays, 1-5 p.m.
Christian-based counseling sessions are available through a Licensed Professional Counselor at Grace Presbyterian Church on Thursdays from 1-5 p.m. for a nominal fee. For more information/appointments call 281-881-8512 or email donnasullivan6697@gmail.com.
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Operation Turkey 2019
November 27 and November 28
Thanksgiving Day is just around the corner! Once again this year, Grace will be hosting Operation Turkey. The goal this year is 75,000 meals delivered. At Grace we will prepare around 7,000 of those meals. To learn more and to register, go to www.operationturkey.com.
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Looking Ahead in 2019… SAVE the DATE!
November 13, Men's Night at Grace with Jonathan Evans
November 15-17, High School Retreat
November 27, Operation Turkey Tailgate
November 28, Operation Turkey
December 1, Christmas in the Courtyard
December 7, Children's Ministries: Drop & Shop
December 8, Grace at 50 Anniversary Celebration: ONE Worship Service at 10 a.m.
December 15, Grace Kids Musical & Christmas for the City:
ONE Worship Service at 10 a.m.
December 21, Gingerbread House Decorating Day
December 24, Christmas Eve Services:
- 3 p.m. Traditional worship with Communion in The Founders’ Chapel
- 3 p.m. Kids' Christmas Celebration Service in the Sanctuary
- 5 p.m. Contemporary worship in the Sanctuary
- 7 p.m. Traditional worship in the Sanctuary
- 7 p.m. Grace en Español worship in The Founders’ Chapel
December 29, ONE worship service at 10 a.m. in the Sanctuary
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